I try to live my life by these words: "If You Are the Smartest Person in the Room...Find Another Room."
As an adult, I have adopted this quote in many of the things I do. I have realized that I learn a lot from others, I love to collaborate, and when others challenge me, I am better.
I know I talk about them a lot, but I have the best team of warriors at my Club. Even though the majority of them are college students, I am 100% confident that they teach me everyday. I could do their job, if necessary, but they are better at it than I am. They are passionate, smart, kind, and work really hard. It is difficult to find people like this in our area, but I have...and I am so grateful.
This week has been our down training week and they are soaking everything up. We are fortunate enough to have a lot of veteran staff so our New Hire Training process was not as time consuming as it has been in the past. Amber, our Program Director, led a quick activity where she asked her staff to respond to the following questions:
How Can We Encourage Good Hygiene?
How Can We Encourage Physical Fitness?
How Can We Encourage A Healthy Diet?
How Can We Model Good Behavior/Examples?
How Can We Provide Healthy Resources For Families?
Our staffies came up with some wonderful ideas and I thought it would be good to share in case you can benefit from them too! Here is a printable version if you need it!
Encouraging Good Hygiene:
Make a Hand Washing How-To sign for member restrooms.
Have discussions with members about how you practiced good hygiene as a kiddo!
Make hygiene kits for each program area.
Have all members use germ-x before eating meals.
Have all areas participate in oral hygiene after lunch, with the help of tooth truck professionals.
Encouraging Physical Activity:
Lead by example…Be always participating WITH members, when leading activities.
Use excitement and enthusiasm to encourage more member participation.
In low-activity areas, take active breaks where members get up and do different activities and work outs…Brain Breaks.
Use small active games for lining up/transitions.
Play large group games on playground…encourage active, large group participation.
Encourage Healthy Diet:
When using drink stand, incorporate healthier options for sell. Some ideas mentioned, flavored waters, smoothies, juices.
Run Healthy Habits and add additional relevant activities.
Buy healthier/lower sugar options for Ozark Food Harvest snacks.
Utilize salad bar twice a month during meal times.
Use garden to get kids interested in trying new fruits and veggies.
Model Good Examples:
Staff sit down and eat provided at snack with kids…encourage kids to try their fruits and veggies.
Carry water bottles always. Look presentable!
Present your best self! If staff eat food while at work, making sure it’s healthy!
Model healthy eating while at work. Brush teeth with kids in brushing program.
Talk about the exercise you do yourself. Be a big kid!!!
Bring members who are drifting back into activities by using them as helpers and leaders. Tell kids about your fitness goals.
Provide Resources for Families:
Continue to utilize Burrell Behavioral Health partnership for family needs.
Host a family care day.
Use farmers market stand weekly for fresh produce distribution, recipe cards, and concern box.
Invite families to join BGC Springfield Facebook page.
Provide resources for community assistance agencies like W.I.C., Health Department, etc.
Handouts to remind parents of good health practices, like trips to the dentist for example.
Make a member recipe book, as a fundraiser.
Questions, comments, ideas, need help? Holler at me!